Photos: Edmonton Oilers fall 5-4 to the Winnipeg Jets in season opener at Rexall Place

Winnipeg Jets Eric Tangradi (27) celebrates teammate Michael Frolik's (right) goal during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Christopher and Karmen Houghton, from York, U.K., celebrate the start of hockey season before the Edmonton Oilers - Winnipeg Jets game at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Jason and his son Sanjay, 7, Chalupiak celebrate the start of hockey season with members of the Octane dance team before the Edmonton Oilers - Winnipeg Jets game at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Kelly Martens and his son Austin, 8, pose for a photo at the Wayne Gretsky statue before the Edmonton Oilers - Winnipeg Jets game at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Annie and Ryan Lupa joke around in hockey equipment at the Ford Canada booth at Rexall Place before the Edmonton Oilers - Winnipeg Jets game in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Nick and Dayna Kaczor wore their new and classic Winnipeg Jets jerseys to Rexall Place for the Edmonton Oilers - Winnipeg Jets game in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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The Winnipeg Jets celebrate Bryan Little's (18) goal during the first period at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Dayna Kaczor cheers for her team in her Winnipeg Jets jersey at Rexall Place before the Edmonton Oilers - Winnipeg Jets game in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Oilers Ales Hemsky's (83) shot beats Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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Edmonton Oilers Ladislav Smid (5) and Ryan Smyth (94) celebrate Ales Hemsky's (83) goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk makes a save against Winnipeg Jets James Wright (17) during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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Edmonton Oilers NAME Winnipeg Jets NAME during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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Edmonton Oilers Andrew Ference (21) is seen during the game against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins (right) watches during the game against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Edmonton Oilers David Perron (57) passes the puck past Winnipeg Jets Paul Postma (4) during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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Edmonton Oilers celebrate Jesse Joensuu (6)'s goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Edmonton Oilers Ladislav Smid (5) boards Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele (55) for a penalty during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

Edmonton Oilers Will Acton (41) falls as he battles Winnipeg Jets Dustin Byfuglien (33) for the puck during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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Winnipeg Jets Zach Bogosian (44) shoots misses on Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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Edmonton Oilers captain Andrew Ference (21) speaks with Mark Arcobello (26) during the second period of play against the Winnipeg Jets at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk watches as Winnipeg Jets James Wright (17) celebrates Michael Frolik's goal during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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Edmonton Oilers Luke Gazdic (20) fights Winnipeg Jets Chris Thorburn (22) during the second period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Age

The Winnipeg Jets celebrate Michael Frolik's (67) goal during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Winnipeg Jets Michael Frolik's (second from left) scores the fifth goal of the game for his team during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Winnipeg Jets Eric Tangradi (27) stops the puck with his chest during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk watches Winnipeg Jets Eric Tangradi (27) wrist the puck during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Oilers Boyd Gordon (27) and Jeff Petry (2) check Winnipeg Jets Adam Pardy (2) during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Oilers Andrew Ference (21) is seen playing against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk gets scored on by Winnipeg Jets Jacob Trouba (8) during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Oilers Boyd Gordon (27) hits the ice during the game against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Edmonton Oilers fans wave their towels as the team plays the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of play at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. The Jets won 5-4. Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

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With nine new players on the opening-night roster, the Edmonton Oilers looked like a different team Tuesday, playing with an energy and edge that was sorely missing in seasons past.

For about 38 minutes, that is.

Then they played exactly like all those teams in seasons past, giving up three straight goals to lose at home.

“We had that game in the bag,” said Taylor Hall, in a state somewhere between shock and disbelief after a 4-2 lead turned into 5-4 home opening loss to the Winnipeg Jets. “We gave them a couple of chances and they put it in. I thought overall we had pretty good energy … we did a lot of good things but in this league ‘a lot ofs’ don’t translate to wins.”

Nope. The Oilers should know that better than anyone.

They were up by a couple late in the second on goals from Mike Brown, Boyd Gordon, a beauty from Ales Hemsky and one from Jesse Joensuu, but like so many disappointing nights last season, found a way to lose.

“We have to manage the puck a little better,” said Hall. “I had a couple of tough turnovers in the third period that kind of stalled our momentum. Those are things we have to correct and we have to do it fast. It’s really tough starting the season 0-1 after we were up 4-2.”

Winnipeg closed it to 4-3 late in the second, tied it on a loooong floater from Jacob Trouba at 11:06 of the third and won it by simply out-hustling Edmonton on Frolik’s second of the night at 14:58.

“I don’t think there’s going to be any scratching our heads wondering what happened,” said captain Andrew Ference. “It was black and white. When we used our speed and created some pressure we had some tremendous shifts. When we didn’t, when we tried to force things, it was a problem for us.

“We have some tremendous areas that we can look at, things that we did right an opportunities that we created, but there were also clear-cut examples of what happens when you don’t.”

Devan Dubnyk struggled in the home opener. Of the five Winnnipeg goals, there were probably three he shouldn’t be happy with.

“I was a little too excited and moving a bit too much and didn’t have my feet set on either play,” said Dubnyk, adding Trouba’s goal was a tough one. “It just dropped on me. I started to bring my hand up to catch it and it just dove, but it doesn’t matter, it shouldn’t go in regardless.

“I have to be better. I have to give these guys a better opportunity to win the game. I thought we played well enough. We generated lots and played well. If we get four goals in a game it’s definitely my job to get points at the end of it.”

There was a lot to like about the new look Oilers. They threw skill at Winnipeg in waves, they generated offence, they were gritty and seemed much tougher to play against.

But they blew a two-goal lead at home and lost, so …

“It would have been nice to play a full 60,” said Hall, dusting off a post-game quote from last season. “That was the theme last year for sure and it has to be something we nip in the bud right away.”

LATE HITS: The Oilers named their alternate captains at the morning skate, all six of them. The As will go to Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nick Schultz and Ryan Smyth … Four of the seven players making their debut as Edmonton Oilers picked up points in the home opener — Gordon and Joensuu had goals, while Gadzic and Will Acton had assists.

As Advertised in the Edmonton SUN

Edmonton Oilers blow lead, fall to Winnipeg Jets in season-opener

With nine new players on the opening-night roster, the Edmonton Oilers looked like a different team Tuesday, playing with an energy and edge that was sorely missing in seasons past.

For about 38 minutes, that is.

Then they played exactly like all those teams in seasons past, giving up three straight goals to lose at home.

“We had that game in the bag,” said Taylor Hall, in a state somewhere between shock and disbelief after a 4-2 lead turned into 5-4 home opening loss to the Winnipeg Jets. “We gave them a couple of chances and they put it in. I thought overall we had pretty good energy … we did a lot of good things but in this league ‘a lot ofs’ don’t translate to wins.”

Nope. The Oilers should know that better than anyone.

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Photos: Edmonton Oilers fall 5-4 to the Winnipeg Jets in season opener at Rexall Place